The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luces Non Uro. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1916. THE GREAT FACTOR.

Southland Times, Issue 17786, 15 July 1916, Page 4

The Southland Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. Luces Non Uro. SATURDAY, JULY 15, 1916. THE GREAT FACTOR.

A timely and encouraging reference to munitions was made by Mr Lloyd George at a Conference attended by the representatives of Prance, Russia and Italy. According to the cabled report of his speech published this morning Mr Lloyd George made the most definite and reassuristatement in regard to Britain’s abilu. ' o maintain pressure on the enemy anl continue the present offensive. The change that has come over the complexion of the war since the Munitions Conference of 1915 was admirably summarised by the Minister who is retiring from the Ministry of Munitions to fill the post that was left vacant when Lord Kitchener met his death. In 1915 the Russians, inadequately equipped and supplied, had little more than their bodies to oppose the inferno of Hindenburg’s massed artillery, and they were swept back with enormous losses. On the western front the Champagne offensive, a costly effort for which shells had been accumulated for weeks, was brought to a standstill without achieving its objective. How different is the situation to-day. The Russians have routed the Austrian armies, making enormous captures of men and material, and are still making progress in spite of Germany’s efforts to stem the tide. In France and Flanders the French have been able to resist at Verdun the most powerful and the most sustained effort that Germany has made during the war, and the Anglo-French forces have made a notable advance against positions that the enemy regarded as impregnable. Instead of being condemned to inactivity for the want of munitions, the British are now in a position to take the offensive, and according to Mr Lloyd George the effort jnll not have to be abandoned for. the

want of shells. The power of initiative has been wrenched from Germany’s bands, and the development of the war now rests with the Allies. The part that Britain has played in securing this advantage is one of the wonders of the war. The Navy absorbed more than half the metal workers of the country, occupying the energies of a million men, and as the Minister phrased it, “We had to create army arsenals out of nothing." We had also to create the army, and that both have been accomplished within two years of the commencement of the war is a record that will stand for all time as the greatest tribute to the resources and the spirit of the British race. Mr LJoyd George has been a source of inspiration throughout the war. He has never erred on the side of unjustifiable optimism, and his latest message will hearten the nation and confirm the belief that the Allies are now in position to maintain that continuous pressure on the enemy which most result in final and complete victory.